Who Will Score First Goal At Everton's New Stadium: Barry Among Favourites

Sunday promises to be an emotional day for Everton fans, who finally get the chance to watch their first Premier League game in their new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The new ground has taken four years to complete, but the club can now focus on action on the pitch as they welcome Fabian Hurzeler's Brighton. 

After losing their season opener to nil for the fourth successive season, football betting sites have David Moyes' side as they underdogs. 

Scoring early-season goals has been an issue for the Toffees in recent seasons. 

Everton failed to score in their opening two league games last season and didn't score until their fourth fixture of the 2023/24 campaign.

The club will not want an opposition player to net the first ever league goal at their new 52,769-capacity stadium.

Everton said goodbye to Goodison Park with a 2-0 win over relegated Southampton in May, with Iliman Ndiaye going down in the club's history by scoring the final two goals at the old ground. 

So, who will write their name in the new stadium's history? We take a look at the best odds offered on betting apps. 

Barry In A Hurry To Make His Mark

Everton paid Villarreal £30m for the services of Thierno Barry, who is 13/2 to be the first goalscorer at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday.

The Toffees will hope for a quick return on their investment on a player that scored 11 times in all competitions last season.

Barry was a part of France's U21 squad that reached the semi-finals of this summer's European Championship, where his only goal of the tournament was a late winner in their 3-2 win against Georgia in the group stage.

The 22-year-old came off the bench for the final four minutes at Elland Road but failed to make an impact.

First Goalscorer At Everton's New Stadium Odds:

(Odds correct at time of publish: 11.30am on 19/8/2025)

Don't Bet Against Beto

The jury is still out on Beto, who Everton paid Udinese £26m for in August 2023.

A total of 11 league goals in 50 appearances is not the best of returns, so maybe a change of stadium will favour the Guinea-Bissau star.

Eight of his last 10 goals for the Toffees were scored at Goodison Park, so don't bet against Beto (7/1) to be the first ever scorer at the new ground.

Beto had a header blocked in the 1-0 defeat at Elland Road.

Could It Be Ndiaye's Day Again?

Whatever happens between now and the end of Ndiaye's career, he will always be remembered as the player who scored the last ever goal at Goodison Park.

As the curtain came down on Goodison's 133-year history, Ndiaye scored both goals in a 2-0 win against Southampton on an emotional day for all concerned with the club.

The Senegal international was Everton's leading scorer last season with 11 in all competitions, with seven of those coming at home.

Ndiaye is 8/1 to complete the double and add the first goal at the club's new ground to go with the last goal at Goodison, despite failing to have a shot in their loss to Leeds.

Grealish Keen To Make An Early Mark

Jack Grealish's season-long loan move to Everton could be one of the best pieces of business done by any team this summer.

After struggling for a regular place in Manchester City's side in recent campaigns, a spell away from the Etihad Stadium could be just what Grealish needs right now.

Moyes might be the man to get the best out of the former Aston Villa midfielder, who cost City £100million three years ago.

Grealish, who only started seven times in the league last season, can expect to play a major role on Merseyside and he is 11/1 to net the new stadium's first goal.

Carlos Hoping To Score In A Win

Carlos Alcaraz (12/1) has struggled to find a home in recent campaigns with shorts spells at Southampton, Juventus and Flamengo, but Hill Dickinson could be it. 

Everton paid Flamengo £12.6m for the Argentine after scoring twice in seven starts during a loan spell last season. 

Both those were winning goals away from home at Palace in February and on the final day of the season at Newcastle.

Alcaraz, who was booked for waving an imaginary card at referee Chris Kavanagh, had more touched in the Leeds box than any other Everton player.

Dwight To Be In Right Place At The Right Time?

Dwight McNeil has a knack of popping up with crucial goals for Everton at important times.

Eight of his last nine goals for the Toffees have been in front of the home fans, so he has a habit of scoring at home. 

Everton supporters will remember the two goals McNeil (12/1) scored as his side rallied from a goal down to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Goodison Park in September.

McNeil was an unused substitute for the opening weekend trip to Leeds and will hope to start against Brighton. 

Cheers For Chermiti If He Scores The First Goal

Youssef Chermiti (8/1) could do with an early goal this season to help win over doubting fans, but he was an unused sub at Leeds. 

Summer signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall played the full game at Elland Road, and he offers great value at 14/1 on the best betting sites. 

Due to Everton's recent early season shyness in front of goal, it might be an option to look at a Brighton player to spoil the Toffees' party.

Danny Welbeck (6/1) leads the market for the Seagulls, followed by Julio Enciso (13/2), Kaoru Mitoma (8/1), Georginio Rutter (8/1) and Yankuba Minteh (10/1).

Matt O'Riley is also 10/1 after scoring a 55th minute penalty, which gave Brighton a 1-0 lead at home to Fulham, who rescued an opening weekend point through Rodrigo Muniz's equaliser in the 97th minute.